Firefighter death affects 'entire community'

Emergency services personnel in Lac Ste. Anne County are still in shock after the tragic line-of-duty death of one of their own.

Donald Bamber, a 58-year-old volunteer firefighter with the Lac Ste. Anne County fire service died from cardiac arrest on Wednesday, Aug. 6 while on a call.

Lac Ste. Anne County fire chief Randy Schroeder said that Bamber was one of four firefighters who responded to a vehicle fire on Highway 43 at 9:30 p.m. near Sangudo.

Schroeder said everything had gone well and crews were in the process of wrapping up the scene when the incident occurred.

“Don [Bamber] was helping with a water shuttling operation between two tankers when firefighters noticed he did not appear to be moving,” Schroeder said.

Firefighters immediately called for EMS to attend and started performing CPR.

Bamber was taken to the Mayerthorpe Healthcare Centre where he was pronounced dead.

Schroeder said Bamber’s death will be felt by the entire community.

Bamber was a long time Sangudo resident and became a member of the Lac Ste. Anne district 4 fire department last May, joining his son and his son-in-law who are both long-standing members of the department.

“I have known Don for 25 years and his loss will be felt, not only by the fire department, but the entire community,” Schroeder said. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to Don’s family and friends.”

Municipal Affairs Minister Greg Weadick said in a statement that he and Whitecourt-Ste. Anne MLA George VanderBurg were both shocked and saddened by the loss.

“This is a poignant reminder that first responders risk their lives every day to keep Albertans safe,” he said in the statement.

Bamber’s funeral service will be held on August 14 at the Bamber Family Farm, 55230A – Range Road 71, south of Sangudo. He will be given full department honours.